Background
This gangster-turned-MLA, Mukhtar Ansari, was decided to beshifted from Punjab’s jail to Uttar Pradesh’s jail in late March 2021.
Responding to a petition by the Uttar Pradesh government,the apex court of India, the Supreme Court ordered this transfer of custody.
Specifically, he will be moved from Punjab’s Ropar prison toUttar Pradesh’s Banda prison.
It must be noted that Punjab Government fought against theUttar Pradesh Government’s plea tooth and nail. The former wanted the pleadismissed.
Punjab Government has been given two weeks to comply withthe orders.
The Supreme Court was also hearing a petition by Ansarihimself in which he requested a transfer of the cases against him to Delhi.This plea was dismissed.
He was booked for extortion and criminal intimidation. Thesections in the Indian Penal Code are 386 and 506 respectively.
The same was done on the complaint of Chief ExecutiveOfficer (CEO) of Homeland Group engaged in real estate business in Punjab andDelhi National Capital Region. The CEO has a recorded phone call in which “someAnsari from Uttar Pradesh” asks for Rs 10 crore to ensure the safety of hisfamily.
Now, the FIR was lodged in Uttar Pradesh with Ansari’saddress as Banda, Uttar Pradesh. Punjab Police brought Ansari to Punjab onproduction warrant from a prison in Uttar Pradesh about two weeks after theregistration of this case.
Readying for the transfer
In early April 2021, in a letter addressed to Uttar PradeshAdditional Chief Secretary, Home Department, the Punjab’s home department, hasasked the UP Government to take custody of gangster-turned-politician MukhtarAnsari from Rupnagar jail by April 8 and make necessary arrangements for histransfer.
Referring to the March 26 Supreme Court order that haddirected the Punjab government to transfer the MLA from Mau to Uttar Pradesh'sBanda jail in two weeks, the Punjab home department has written to UPgovernment to take over the custody of Ansari.
Mukhtar Ansari, who is wanted in various cases in UttarPradesh, has been lodged in Rupnagar district jail in connection with analleged extortion case since January 2019.
"The said handover is to be made at district jailRupnagar on/before April 8," the letter stated.’
Ansari suffers from certain medical conditions and the samemay be kept in mind while making arrangements for his transport from Rupnagarjail to Banda jail in UP, the letter reads.
Meanwhile, in a statement that is bound to createcontroversy, UP minister Anand Swarup Shukla on April 2 has termed jailed mafiadon and BSP MLA Mukhtar Ansari as an 'Islamic terrorist'.
Talking to reporters in Ballia, Shukla accused the Congressfor allegedly shielding Ansari. "It is in the DNA of the Congress topatronise Islamic terror and anti-social elements. Ansari is also like anIslamic terrorist; hence Congress is standing with him," he said.
On the same day i.e. April 2, a case was also registered inBarabanki district against unnamed persons in the ambulance case involvingMukhtar Ansari.
During his appearance in a Punjab Court on Wednesday,Mukhtar Ansari was brought in an ambulance that had a registration number ofUttar Pradesh.
Fake police encounter?
Seeing the developments of UP cops reaching Punjab’sRupnagar district to take over custody of BSP MLA Mukhtar Ansari and shift himto Uttar Pradesh’s Banda Jail, the family members of Ansari say that they fearfor his life in UP’s jail.
Worried over a fake encounter by UP police, MLA MukhtarAnsari's wife has reportedly filed a petition in Supreme Court today seekingsecurity and protection for her husband while he is being shifted from Punjab'sRopar jail to Banda jail in Uttar Pradesh.
Around seven to eight vehicles of the Uttar Pradesh Policereached the Rupnagar District Police Lines around 4:30 am today, and are nowlikely to return with Ansari to UP, late on Tuesday night.
Mukhtar Ansari's brother and BSP MP from Ghazipur, AfzalAnsari, also expressed apprehension that a 'conspiracy' may be hatched againsthim in the UP jail.
"The Ansari family is worried following the mediareports and statements made by the BJP leaders. We have approached thejudiciary on the issue of security for Mukhtar. When a problem is being createdby the state government, then there is no option except seeking the shelter ofthe judiciary. Justice is still alive in the country. I am confident thatjustice will prevail and Mukhtar will be proved innocent in all cases," hesaid.
His wife Afshan Ansari had earlier written to the Presidentof India, seeking his intervention in the matter.
Meanwhile, family sources said that they planned to take ahouse on rent in Banda to ensure that they remain close to Ansari.
It may be recalled that Mukhtar and his wife Afsha hadsuffered a heart attack in the Banda jail in 2018. The two reportedly fellunconscious after consuming tea inside the jail. Afsha had gone to meet herhusband. After this, Mukhtar was shifted to Ropar jail.
In UP jail now
Now, the man is in Banda jail of UP, after having beingtransported in an ambulance under heavy security. The ambulance was equippedwith all life-saving equipment to handle any possible emergency.
Now, Mukhtar Ansari, is in Barrack Number 15 of Bandaprisonand he will be guarded round-the-clock by three security personnel. Also, forthe time being, other inmates have been restricted access to this barrack.
The security extends beyond his barrack. The changes includekeeping main prison complex gate closed and only staff on-duty will be allowedand that too after screening.
High towers have been erected outside the prison and extrapolice pickers have also been set up to keep eyes on every visitor.
To take care of his health, a team of four doctors has been empanelledkeeping in line with Supreme Court’s orders.
The Supreme Court observed that courts cannot be helplessbystanders while the rule of the law is being flouted.